Best Moments in Audio; the "System Switch"

Ever gone 180 degrees the opposite direction? Gone from tubes to ss, while changing the speakers, amp, and preamp? Gone from Planars back to boxes and changed all the equipment too?

That's what's happening in my world. Complete switch, from 8 chanels of amps driving "stacked" Eminent Technology LFT-8A's, to an utterly simple two chanel, stereo amp and Chapman T-7 (my newly ordered T-77's are being built) speakers.

Went from Rogue Audio tube pre back to solid state, with the PS Audio PCA-2. and from the aforesaid 8 channels of Outlaw Audio amps (200wpc) to a simple 150w x2 in the PS Audio HCA-2.

The only thing that's stayed the same are the cables and interconnects; Harmonic Technology Pro-9's and Magic Links, respectively.

This is the second time in 20 years I've had opportunity to sell off everything in the two channel system, and reapproach/start from scratch.

SCARY but fun! I believe I'll end up with just as involving and dynamic a system as I had before. Will I like it better? I'm pretty sure I will, but not absolutely sure. That's having BIG fun with audio equipment!

And the sound? Well, right now I have three classy speakers in my HT to switch around and listen to. There is absolutely a joy in having multiple components to play with.

One of the best moments is to hook up a pair of speakers and critically listen for a while. Then switch to another pair and judge them for their attributes, the whole time knowing that you can KEEP them because they aren't borrowed!

I'm in my glory when I can muck around with the amp, the preamp, change some cables here, put different speakers there...

Yes, I'm as much a tweaker as a listener, but that's at least half the fun for me. The assemblage of the next breakthrough system is exciting for me.

The other night, I did extended listening to a pair of speakers that two weeks ago I thought were harsh and unforgiving on the high end. Now, with cable and Pre/Amp switchout, they are much better. In fact, they're putting me to sleep when I listen! Who'd a thought!?

Then, after several weeks of intense selling, packaging, receiving components there is a wonderful let down, a calming where one just sits and soaks up the new system, glorying in its richness. Very sweet. I know it may not be the last sytem I ever own, but it's the best I've ever owned. And it sounds wonderful...

What's your best moment in audio.